Ngcongca: Caf Super Cup more special than Uefa Champions League

The Bafana Bafana international is in line to make his full debut for the club in a tough, but grueling showdown with the DRC’s TP Mazembe

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Anele Ngcongca says playing in the 2017 Caf Super Cup against the five-time African champions TP Mazembe at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday, is more special than playing in the Uefa Champions League for him.

“I was talking about this the other day with my girlfriend that I am very lucky. I can’t ask for more,” Ngcongca told The Star.

“I played in the Uefa Champions League and the Uefa Europa Cup. I won everything in Belgium, including the Super Cup and now I am here playing in the CAF Super Cup. This means the most to me because this is played on home soil, in Africa,” Ngcongca added.

The 29-year-old made his first appearance for the Brazilians when he came from the bench in last Saturday’s 6-0 demolition of Orlando Pirates.

Moreover, Ngcongca has found it difficult to break into the side with three players vying for the regular right-back slot, but he has been impressed with the man currently holding the forth-Thapelo Morena.

“I have to give credit to Thapelo. He is not a natural right-back (but a winger converted to right-back), yet he is doing well,” Ngcongca said.

“I have been encouraging him. It is going to be difficult for everyone playing in that position, from Shoes (Asavela Mbekile) to (Siyanda) Zwane. Thapelo has been doing a good job. It’s a good thing because he is pushing us to do well,” Ngcongca continued.

Given their hectic schedule this year, it’s a no brainer that Mbekile, Zwane, Morena and Ngcongca will get plenty of game-time as they look to defend the Caf Champions League title.

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““We are lucky to have a coach like Pitso Mosimane because he is hungry for more success,” Ngcongca said.

“He told us that we need to leave a legacy at Sundowns. Yes, we have won everything but we need more. We need to have more stars on our badge. When you look at the global giants, they have more stars on their shirts," he added.

“You can retire contentedly in the knowledge that I brought four stars to Sundowns. I have done enough. The coach is pushing us to the limits,” Ngcongca concluded.